Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. (VCNA) sales in the United States reached 11,633 for the month, recording the best July on record, according to the company. For the ninth month in a row, Volvo has surpassed its year over year monthly comparison. July sales represent a 15.3 percent increase compared to the same period a year ago. "Consumers are responding positively to Volvo safety, quality, value, and excitement. Our newest products like our XC90 and R models (S60/V70), as well as our C70 Convertible - first introduced in 1997 - sold at peak levels during July," said Vic Doolan, VCNA president and CEO. "This is the kind of momentum that will serve Volvo well in the months ahead." Impressive results by the XC90, V70, C70, and the limited production S60 R - named european car magazine "Car of the Year" - have led the way to a 23.9 percent increase in sales year-to-date in the U.S. Overall, sales for NAFTA (United States - including Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico) were 12,844 units - up 15.9 percent compared to the same period last year. Volvo sales in North America for the year are 22.5 percent ahead of 2002, says the company. Volvo sales in Canada increased 20.2 percent for the month, as did sales in Mexico - up 29.8 percent. VCNA, part of the Volvo Car Corporation of Gothenburg, Sweden, provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to Volvo automobile retailers in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. The 2003 Volvo automobile line includes the XC90, the sporty S60 sedan - including the performance sedan - S60 R and its performance wagon counterpart - V70 R, the flagship S80 luxury sedan, V70 wagon and XC70 (Cross Country), the C70 convertible, and the compact S40 and V40 models.